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The Beauty Accelerator™

The UK’s first beauty specific accelerator.

A joint initiative between The Red Tree and SFC Capital.

The winner of The Beauty Accelerator™️ will receive up to £250,000 equity investment from SFC Capital plus the knowledge and expertise of The Red Tree applied over 12 months. This may include working with The Red Tree’s team for strategic guidance, access to a global network of suppliers and the benefits of long-standing relationships with retailers. Applications now closed for 2024.

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“We can’t wait to work with The Red Tree and SFC Capital to build on the initial traction and to offer a truly sustainable solution for our elevated bathroom essentials.”

Mary McLeod and Eliza Flanagan — KANKAN

Winner of The Beauty Accelerator™ 2021

The Beauty Accelerator™ 2022 – Introducing the Short-Listed Brands

“It means so much to win The Beauty Accelerator™, it’s a dream come true. We applied, never thinking we would ACTUALLY win, and are beyond elated to get not only the investment, but the ongoing support we need to accelerate what we’ve started with Faace. We are just so excited to see what happens next.”

Jasmine Wicks-Stephens — Faace

Joint Winner of The Beauty Accelerator™ 2020

In Conversation with Faace

“It quite literally means the world to us. With the support of The Red Tree and SFC Capital we look forward to not only saving the planet…but smelling amazing whilst doing it. Power to your pits!”

Matt Kennedy — Fussy

Joint Winner of The Beauty Accelerator™ 2020

In Conversation with Fussy

What's next?

The Beauty Accelerator™ will be returning in 2025 with an increased equity investment and a more inclusive range of criteria. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know when applications reopen.

  • Spring 2023

    New SEIS criteria in effect.

  • Autumn 2023

    The Beauty Accelerator™ preparation series begins.

  • 4th December 2023

    The Beauty Accelerator™ 2024 applications open.

  • 14th February 2024

    The Beauty Accelerator™ 2024 applications close.

  • 26th and 27th February 2024

    The Beauty Accelerator™ Final will take place.

Is The Beauty Accelerator™ for me?

FAQs

  • The Beauty Accelerator™ is a joint initiative between The Red Tree and SFC Capital that will see one emerging independent beauty brand receive up to £250,000 equity investment plus the knowledge and expertise of The Red Tree applied over 12 months to help build the brand to its next stage and beyond.

  • The Red Tree is the UK’s leading international beauty brand consultancy. We develop and steer your ideas, challenge your thinking, and deliver results. We have an unparalleled global perspective, and manage some of the best brands around.
    The go‑to company for vision, strategy, action, and implementation. Thought leaders at the cutting edge of knowledge, providing insights for our clients and the industry.

    Who We Are
  • SFC Capital is the most active seed-stage investor in the UK, and was ranked fifth globally by Pitchbook in both 2018 and 2019. Founded in 2012 by serial entrepreneur Stephen Page (DataEase, Sapphire), SFC Capital combines an angel syndicate with its own funds to provide investors with diversified exposure to SEIS- and EIS-qualifying businesses. Investors can back the high-potential startups directly or through a portfolio curated and managed by the SFC Capital team. Having backed more than 225 startups since its inception, notable companies in the SFC Capital portfolio include Cognism, Transcend Packaging.

    Based in London but active across the UK, SFC Capital has a track record of backing high-growth businesses in parts of the UK where access to early-stage equity capital is often scarce, with notable investments including Vortex IOT (Swansea), Transcend Packaging (Caerphilly), Petalite (Birmingham), and Intupod (Belfast). In total, businesses backed by SFC Capital through its angel network and funds have created more than 500 jobs outside of London. In April 2020, SFC Capital received a £10 million commitment from British Business Investment through its Regional Angels Programme. As part of its regional expansion, SFC Capital is also opening a second office in Macclesfield to catalyse its regional investor base and increase deal flow across the country.

  • Yes, as long as you meet the entry criteria.

    The Beauty Accelerator™ Entry Criteria

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